Fishing Lake Clarkes in Horsham, Victoria

• Overview

  Victoria holds Lake Clarkes, in Horsham. It sits at 136 metres above sea level. It runs to roughly 47 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The edge runs 2.5 km or so, easy to work in an afternoon. On size it sits at the modest end of our Horsham list. Haven lies 32 km from the water. Ballarat is the closest city, 193 km away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lake Clarkes

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Read Lake Clarkes before you fish it and the day goes better. Give a promising spot half an hour before moving on.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between July at about 8°C and February at about 21°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Summer heat is the limit here, not winter cold. Levels swing with the wet season, which moves the fishing about. Winter is cool and quiet, and often the most comfortable time to be out. On Lake Clarkes the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Lake Clarke Wildlife Reserve (hunting) runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Lake Carchap at 3.8 km is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Lake Clarkes before loading the car.